The LuxPod: Micro-Unit from Across the Pond

Japan, with its one-room-mansions and Kyosho Jutaku homes, gets a lot of attention for small space living, but England deserves recognition as one of the small-space-living world capitals. The country is packed–the densest in Europe in fact.

According to The Guardian England has no minimum space standards! While this doesn’t create a lot room for storage, it does leave room for innovation…or, as The Guardian suggests, developers looking to pulp every dollar from every square foot.

Like the fellow London Yo Home! flat we looked at last week, we think the LuxPod falls in the innovative category. The experimental space was built in 2008. According to LuxPod’s website, it’s 11 sq m/118 sq ft, which is by no means the smallest space we’ve seen, but it’s pretty damn small. It was initially used as a vacation property. It is not clear what it’s being used for now (we’re looking into it).

It’s really an impressive little space. The finishes are top notch. There are a number of cool features like a retracting countertop that creates a dining bar. There’s a cool “wet” bathroom. All of the appliances and furniture look high end. The layout–as far as a 118 sq ft spaces go–is great.

The important thing to note about micro apartments like these is they are not intended for everyone. For example, when this author moved to New York City 11 years ago, 118 sq ft of my own would have been palatial. As there was nothing like this available, I had to share an illegally divided apartment with 4 other people. Two of the bedrooms had no windows.

There is a worldwide market for small spaces. Many people, like my younger self, want a clean space for themselves in major cities and beyond. Now it’s a matter of making them available, livable and affordable for the people who need them.